Fluid lift for use in wells



Dec. 27, 1932. G. P. sLATER FLUID LIFT FOR USE IN WELLS 2 Sheets-SheetFiled Aug. 24, 1929 01;'5. 2

ZIIIIIE Dec. 27, 1932. G. P. SLA-TER FLUID LIFT P OR USE IN WELLS FiledAug. 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet fle 1 1.

A TT ORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STA GUY P. SLATER, OF SAND SPRINGS,OKLAHOMA FLUID LIFT FOR USE IN WELLS -Application led August 24, 1929.Serial No. 388.186.

This invention relates to fluid lifts especlally adapted for use in therecovery of oil.

The operation of deep well reciprocating pumps by the use` of suckerrods extending from a source of power on the surface has come to be anacute problem in the petroleum industry due, inpart, to the great depthsof wells now being produced and the possibility of still greater depthsin future wells. Naturally, the length of thesucker rod must approachthe depth of the well so 'that in the case .of an extremely deep well,possibly one of four or live thousand feet, the weight of the suckerrods combined with the weight of the fluid being elevated frequentlycauses parting of the rods and brings about alternate stretching andcontraction of the rods with the result that the effective stroke at thepump is only a very small portionl of what the rod movement isat thesurface. Thus,

.the alternate stretching 'and contraction ofl the rods reduces thelifting capacity of the f pump, while parting of the rods causesprolonged shut downs and a concurrent loss of production thereby greatlyincreasing lifting costs.

Also, many wells drilled by the rotary tool V method have been found tobe extremely ai crooked due to excessive pressure on the bit and hardspots encountered during the drilling of the well. Obviously, thereciprocation of a sucker rod in a crooked well produces excessive wearbetween the sucker rod and the tubing so that after a short period o fuse,

possibly a week or tend days, or even a shorter period, the tubing willleak and production will cease necessitating removal of the tubing androds and renewal of the worn joints Y, J thereof, which operation isexpensive because of the direct labor costs involved and the concurrentloss of production.

With an appreciation of the above disadvantages accompanying the useofsucker rods in deep wells, I have devised a simple means by which acolumn of fluid placed under pressure at the surfacev is substituted forthe usual suckerv rods and caused to operate A the reciprocating pump'at any desired or eiicient numberof strokes per minute. v f Theinvention forming the sub1ect of thls application will also be found toembody a fluid lift in which the constant ascent of the fluid beingrecovered is maintained to minimize the settlement of such sand as maybe in the iiuid and to avoid the intermittent retrograde movement of thetubing fluid known to accompany the use of the conventional plunger typepump. Another aim of the invention is to provide a iiuid'lift which maybe incorporated in a well without elaborate departure from estab-.lished producing methods, without special skill on the part of those incharge of the operation and without excessive cost as com- 5 pared topresent producing methods.

Other objects yand advantages will be apparent during tlie course of thefollowing descri ption. l

In the accompanying drawings forming a o part of this application and inwhich likel numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical Vsectional vievv through the pump,the parts be- 75 ingshown completing the down stroke,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical detail sectional view through the pump, the partsbeing shown 80 in position for the up stroke,

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a vertical fragmentary seetional view through the pump, ingshown completing the up stroke.

Figurev 6 is a detail sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 5,y

Figure 7 isa vertical detail sectional view through the pump, p inposition for the down stroke,

AFigure 8 is a vertical detail sectional view throughvthe pump, the'viewbeing taken at right angles to Figure 7,

Figure 9 1s a group perspective illustrat- ,55

ing a piston core and fleeve valve associated therewith,

Figure 10 1s a perspective of the outer section of thc piston.

In the drawings, of illustration is shown a wherein for the purpose theparts be- 8 the parts being shown 9 preferred embod'- 190 l ment oftheinvention, the numeral desig- .nates ay well tubing of any diameter andwhich, as might be imagined, is positioned within the usual well casing.The improved fluid lift is shown to be suspended from the tubing and isprovided with a combined housing and fluid outlet 11 having the upperportion thereof joined with the tubing through the medium of what mightbe said to be a top plug 12. Figure 5 illustrates that the top p1ug12 isprovided with a port 14 establishing constant communication between ,themember 11 and the tubing 10 for the ascent of the fluid being recoveredand the lifting fluid. At this point, it might be stated that thelifting fluid may be the same `as the fluid being recovered or it may beof a different nature, provision being made in the latter case toseparate the different fluids upon reaching the surface.

The fluid pressure motor employed for operating the associated pumpcomprises a working cylinder 16 having upper and lower bushings 17 and18. respectively, both of which are embraced by the-housing 11.

In carrying out the invention. a working piston is mounted forreciprocation within the cylinder 16 and consists of a core 19 and anouter section 20, the outer section being providedwith rings or othersealing devices by which a fluid tight contact is established betweenthe piston and the wall of the working cylinder 16. IAdvertingnow toFigures 9 and 10, attent-ion is directed to the fact that the core 19 ofthe power piston is provided adjacent the upper portion thereof withoppositely located radial lugs 22 adapted to be positioned betweenupstanding extensions or ears 24 of the outer section to hold the innerand outer sections of the piston against turning with respect to eachother. The lower portion of the core 19 is shown to be provided With atransverse opening receiving a locking key 26 having the terminalsthereof confined between pendants or ears 28 of the outer section 20 tocooperate with the extensions 22 and the upstanding lugs 24 in holdingthe sections aga inst turning with respect tdeach other and ininhibiting en dwise movement of one section of the piston with respectto the other section. Suitable means may of course, be employed to holdthe key 26 in place. y

The core 19 is provided with an axial spindle-like extension at theupper portion thereof` which extension is provided with an inletlongitudinal port 30 having upper and lower branches 32 and 34 extendingout through the periphery of the core for registration with upper andlower outlet passages or ports 36 and 38, respectively. of the outersection. Such figures as 6 and 7 illustrate that a sleeve valve 40 isconfined between the core 19 and the outer section 20 of the piston andprovides a means by which the flow of pressure or motive Huid throughthe piston sleeve valve 40 is provided with an upper port 44 and a lowerport 46, the upper port being adaptable for intermittent registrationwith the passages 32 and 36, while the lower port 46 is intended forintermittent registra-l tion withthe passages 34 and 38.

l/Vhen, as illustrated in Figure 7, the sleeve valve is in its lowermostposition motive fluid supplied by way of the longitudinal port 30 isallowed to enter the working cylinder by way of the passages 32 and 36.In this case,

the motive fluid is discharged into the working cylinder 16 from theupper end of the piston with the result that the piston is drivendownward.

On the other handy, when the sleeve valve 40 is in the elevatedposition. suggested in Figure 3 the motive fluid supplied by way of theport 30 is directed into the lower portion of the working cylinder byway of the registering passages 34 and 38. Duringthe discharge of,` themotive fiuid into the lower portion of the working cylinder 16, thepiston is moved upward.

In carrying out the invention, an inlet tube 48 is threaded into theinlet passage 30 which, as suggested in Figure 9, opens out through theupper end of the spindle-like extension of the piston core 19. Thus, theinlet tube 48 provides a means by which a motive fluid is `supplied tothe working cylinder 16 to reciprocate the piston therein. Figures l and5 illustrate that the inlet tube 48, which will be recognized as beingcarried by the movable piston, is slirdable through the bushing 12 and asupply pipe 50 connected to the bushing. Otherwise expressed, the supplytube 50 is threaded into the relatively fixed bushing or plug 12 andslidably receives the vertically movable tube 48. lit may be providedbetween the supply tube 48 and the parts 12 and 50 to avoid leakage. Itis believed to be apparent that the supply tube 50 extends from asuitable source of power on the surface and is supplied with a motivefluid under pressure to bring about the reciprocation of the piston.

In summarizing the fluid pressure supply means for the fluid pressuremotor, it is pointed out that the fluid, of whatever nature -Figure 3,the Huid supplied by way of the tubes 50 and 4 8 is directed into thelower portion of' the working cylinder to accomplish the up stroke of'the piston.

Referring now to the means by which the A sufiiciently close iscontrolled. More specifically, the

core 19 ofthe piston is provided with a longitudinally extending outletport {S4-:having upper and lower branches 56 and 5S communicatingrespectively with the passages 53 and 52 to receive the exhaust `fluidtherefrom.

Communication between the exhaust passages of the inner and outersections 19 land 20, respectively, is controlled by the sleeve valve 40shown in different figures of the h drawings as ybeing provided withupper and lower exhaust passages for intermittent coinmunicationwith theassociated exhaust passages. t

In describing the operation of the exhaust phase of the invention it ispointed out that l during the up stroke of the piston, as shown `inFigure 3, the passages 53 and 54 are in communication' for the4discharge of fluid from the upper portion or ch/amber .of the workingcylinder 16. During this time, of course, the motive fluid is beingsupplied to the lower portion of ythe working cylinder.

During the down stroke of the piston motive fluid is, of course, 'beingsupplied to the upper portion of the cylinderand the sleeve valve is inits lowermost position to establish communication betweenthe exhaustpassages 52 and 54 to allow theuidpreviously admitted to thelowerportion of the working cylinder to travel out through the exhaust tube60 receiving and threaded onto the spindle-like extension of the core19. f x

With reference to the foregoing description of the pressure fluid motorit will be'seen that the same is double acting and that during thesupply of motive fluid to one end' or chamber of the working cylinder,the exhaust of Huid-from the other end or lchamber of the cylinder istaking place and vice versa.

During the downstroke of the piston, the sleeve valve 40 isheld in itslowermost position by a pair of spring actuated dogs 66 prvotallycarried by the lower portion of the piston section 20. The dogs 66 areshown to be provided with bills adapted to extend through openings 68 inthe sleeve valve 40 and nestle in notches 69 in-the piston core 19.

Figure2 illustra-tes that the lower portion iof the working cylinder 16is provided with a contact member 70 having an inwardly tapered upperface in the path of travel of and ada ted to be engaged by the outerterminals As the piston approaches the limit of descent, the sleevevalve carried thereby is engaged with a spring pressed follower 72 andcaused to compress the associated spring so that when the dogs aresubsequently released, the piston is moved to the fully elevatedposition suggested in Figure 3. That is to say,

- the spring associated with the follower/72 is compressed during-thedown stroke of the piston to a point s'uiicient to move the valve upwardto the position illustrated in Figure 3 when, of course, the dogs 66 arereleased.

As shown in Figure 2, the follower 72 is of annular formation and ispositioned for operation along with the associated spring, in an annularrecess formed in the lower bushing 18 and surrounding the motiontransmitting member 102. Thus, when the piston descends to the positionshown in Figure 2, the follower 72 is encountered to compress theassociatedspring after which the spring will cause the annular followerto riseand move the sleeve valve 40 to its up- `permost positionpreparatory, of course, to

the upstroke It is important to observe that the follower 72 has uniformpressure contact with the lower end of the sleevevalve iOto exert auniform lifting force thereon and thereby avoidbinding of the sleevevalve.

Figure 4 .illustrates that the sleeve valve 40 is held in a fullyelevated position during the up stroke of the piston by means of a pairof spring actuated Adogs 76 pivotally carried by the upper portion ofthe section 20 and having the lower termi als thereof apc lOl

` path of travel of and adapted tobe engaged by the-outer terminals ofthe dogs 76 so that when the piston reaches tlie limit of ascent` thedogs are swungoutwardly to allow the sleeve valve to drop by gravity tothe position suggested in Figure 7 i-s r:not until the up stroke iscompleted that the sleeve valve -is allowed `to drop to the positionshown in Figure 7 for the down stroke. WVhen, as suggested in Figure 8,the

sleeve valve does drop to its lowermost po sition the lower set of dogs66 are swung.

inwardly by' the associated springs into the registering voids 68 and69.

It might be notedV hat rlhus, it

the sleeve valve is held against turning with respect to the piston.andthe ports `thereof by\'the radial extensions 22 and the key 26. Thatis to say, the end portions of the sleeve valve 40 areslottedlongitudinally or might be said to be bifurcated to straddle thelugs 22 and the key 26. v

Referring now to the double acting pump, attention is invited to Figures1 and 5 which illustrate that the pump comprises 'a working devices ingbarrel 100 within which 'a' double acting piston 101 is located. Thefluid lifting piston is shown to be provided at opposite ends withsuitable sealing devices so that a. fluid tight contact between thepiston and the associated working barrel is established in bothdirections.

. They fluid lifting piston 101 is provided with a central openingthrough which a combined plunger and fluid conduit 102 is eX- tended.The lower portion ofthe plunger 102 is provided with upper and lowerspaced collars 104 and 106, respectively, adapted to fit in matingrecesses of the piston and providing a means by which a limited slidingconnection is provided between .the fluid lifting piston and the plungerthereof. When, as illustrated in Figure 1, the pump is on the downstroke the collar 104 has driving engagement with the piston 101 andwhen the piston is, as suggested in Figure 5, on the up stroke,thecollar 106 has driving or lifting engagement with the associatedpiston.

The fluid lift-ing piston 101 divides the working barrel 100 intoupperand lower pumping chambers, fluid being supplied to the lowerchamber of the working barrel by a one-way valve 107 of conventional orother design while a pressure responsive diskshaped valve 108 controlsthe admission ofy fluid to the upper pumping chamber of the workingbarrel. The disk-shaped valve 108 is slidably suspended from arelatively fixed bushing or plug 110 by bolts or other attach- 112. Thevalve 108 is shown to be provided with a depending skirt having portsadapted for communication with inlet ports 114 in the working barrel toallow fluid to enter the upper pumping chamber.

Of course, during the down stroke of the piston 101, the valve 108 takesits lowermost 50; position by gravity so that fluid may enter thevupperpumping chamber. When, however, the piston is on its up stroke, thepressure created within the upper pumping chamber will result inet-heascent of the valve 108 to its fully elevated and closed positionwhereupon the additional admission offluid or the leakage of fluid fromthe working barrel is prevented. f .f

The intended discharge of fluid from the upper pumping chamber of theworking barrel is by way of a plurality of ports 120 in the lowerportion of the"y tubular plunger 102. During the up stroke of the pump,the ports 120 are in open communication with the upper. pumping chamber,while on the down stroke these ports are closed by the surroundingportion of the piston 101.

The intended discharge of fluid from the lower pumping chamber of theworking barrel 101 is by way of a second or lower set of ports 121which, during the down stroke of the piston, are in communication withthe lower pumping chamber and which, during the up stroke of the pump,are closed by the closely surrounding portion of the piston 101.

From the foregoing it will be seen that fluid is lifted by the pumpduring both the up and the down strokes thereof to maintain a constantascent of fluid so that the settlement of such sand as may be in thefluid being-recovered is minimized.

The fluid directed up through the plunger 102 is discharged from thisplunger by way of outlet ports 114 into the housing 11. Morespecifically, the plunger 102 is provided immediately above the outletports 114 with a shut off plug 116 by which the fluid is directed outinto the housing and is caused to ascend between the housing and theworking cylinder. To that end, the lower bushing 18 of the workingcylinder is provided with a suitable number of ports by which the fluidbeing recovered may ascend. Also, the upper bushing 17 of the workingcylinder is shown to be provided with a plurality of ports for theascent of the fluid.

The fluid being recovered and the motive fluid will be found to bedischarged into the upper portion of the housing 11 and allowed tomingle freely during ascent through the tubing.Y As previouslysuggested, if the motive Huid is of the same nature as that beingrecovered no separating process is necessary but if dissimilar fluidsare employed the same mav be separated upon reaching the surface.

With reference to the foregoing description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings it will be apparent that a fluid lift constructedin accordance with this invention may be operated without the necessityof employing sucker rods that have been found to be so troublesomeespecially in deep wells.

The improved fluid lift may be installed in awell without a greatexpense for the reason that much standard equipment such as the tubingmay be employed' as a part of the pump. Even though the well is found tobe extremely crooked the transmission of the motive fluid is notseriously interfered with and thus the eliicient recovery of the nativewell fluid is made possible.

Should any of the parts of the pump become worn it is a simple matter towithdraw the same by withdrawing the tubing as distinguished from thenecessity of removing both the tubing and the rods in present equipment.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a structure' of the class described, a working cylinder, a pistonwithin the cylinder and embodying inner and outer sections havingseparate intake and exhaust ports, a sleeve valve between said sectionsand having means controlling said ports, said sleeve valve and saidinner section of the piston being provided with separate sets ofnotches, spring pressed dogs pivoted between the ends thereof to theouter section of said piston and having bills adapted to interlock withsaid notches to hold the valve in a predetermined position with respectto the inner section of said iston, the outer portions of said dogsbeing ree, and means carried by said cylinder and being in the path ofthe free outer 'portions of said dogs to engage the same and therebyswing the dogs outwardly from the notches of the sleeeve valve and theinner section of the piston.

2. In a structure of the class described, a working cylinder, a pistonwithin the cylinder and embodying inner and outer sections having intakeand exhaust ports, the inner section being provided at one end portionthereof with oppositely located radial extensions and the adjacent endportion of the outer section being provided with oppositely locatedpairs of ears between which the radial extensions of the inner sectionof the piston are positioned to hold the sections of the piston againstrotation with respect to each other, means cooperating with saidextensions and said pairs of ears to hold the sections of the pistonagainst endwise movement with respect to each other, a sleeeve valvebetween the inner and outer sections and having means to control saidports, and dogs carried by"- said piston and having means to engage saidA sleeeve valve.

3. In a structure of the class described, a f working cylinder, a pistonwithin the cylinder and embodying inner and outer sections having intakeand exhaust ports, the inner section being provided at one end portionthereof with oppositely located radial extensions and the adjacent endportion of the outer section being provided with oppositely 1ocatedpairs of ears between which the radial extensions of the inner sectionof the piston are positioned to hold the sections of the piston againstrotation with respect to each other, means cooperating with saidextensions and said pairs of ears to hold the sections of the pistonagainst endwise movement with respect to each other, a sleeve valvebetween the inner and outer sections and having means to control saidports, and dogs carf ried by said piston and having means to engage saidsleeeve valve,said sleeve valve being provided with oppositely locatedslots snugly-receiving said radial extensions of the inner section tohold the sleeve valve against turning with respect to the piston.

4. In a structure of the class described, a working cylinder, a pistonwithin the cylinder and embodying inner and4 outer sections havingintake and exhaust ports, the outer section being provided at oppositeends thereof with pairs of spaced ears, the inner section of the pistonbeing provided adjacent one end thereof with radial extensions extendingbetween the ears at the adjacent end of the outer section to hold theinner and outer sections against turning with respect to each other, akey extending through the inner section and passing closely between theears at one end of the outer section to cooperate with said radialextensions and the ears associated therewith in holding the sectionsagainst turning with respect to each other, and a, sleeve valve movablebetween the inner and outer sections and having upper slots receivingsaid radial extension and having lower slots receiving said key wherebythe-sleeve valve is held against turning with respect to the piston.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

GUY P. SLATER.

